# Sign Regulations in Georgetown, Colorado

Sign permit rules, size and height limits, setbacks, and ordinance citations for Georgetown, Colorado, compiled by PermitPal from the jurisdiction's published municipal code.

- **Jurisdiction:** Georgetown, Colorado (CO)
- **Canonical page:** https://permitpal.io/sign-regulations/colorado/georgetown
- **Data last verified:** 2025-05-08
- **Source:** [municode municipal code](https://library.municode.com/CO/Georgetown/codes/Municipal_Code?nodeId=TIT18SI)

## At a glance

Georgetown, Colorado regulates 7 sign types across 4 zoning districts. Portable Freestanding/Unattached Sign (Sandwich Board)s in the Gateway Commercial District, Gateway Commercial Zoning District, Gateway Mixed Use Districts zoning district are capped at 48 inches tall, Max 48 in height x 36 in width, and 36 inches wide (Sec. 18.20.200(b)(1)a). Most commercial signs in Georgetown require a permit.

## Sign rules by zoning district (4 zones)

| Zoning District | Sign Types Regulated | Max Height | Max Area | Permit Required |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| General Regulations For All Zones | 6 | — | Roof sign face: max 6 sq ft; more than 2 roof signs prohibited | — |
| Gateway Commercial District, Gateway Commercial Zoning District, Gateway Mixed Use Districts | 3 | 48 inches | Max 48 in height x 36 in width | — |
| Historic Business District | 2 | — | 2 sq ft | — |
| Historic Commercial Zoning District, Historic Mixed Use Zoning Districts | 1 | 36 inches | Max 36 in height x 30 in width | — |

## Zone-by-zone sign requirements (sample of 3 of 4 zones)

### General Regulations For All Zones

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | On building wall. No signs above first story for interior-access businesses. | — | 18.20.010, 18.20.020, 18.20.030, 18.20.040, 18.20.060, 18.20.070, 18.20.110, 18.20.120, 18.20.130, 18.20.160, 18.20.220, 18.20.230, 18.20.240 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | On corner lots, no part of a sign (except a 12-inch diameter pole) between 2.5 and 10 feet above street, in a 20-foot triangular area from right-of-way intersection. | — | Subject to the same regulations as for wall/fence signs. | — | 18.20.010, 18.20.030, 18.20.120, 18.20.130, 18.20.150, 18.20.160, 18.20.170 |
| Roof Sign | — | — | — | — | 0 | — | — | 18.20.170 |
| Portable Freestanding/Unattached Sign (Sandwich Board) | — | — | — | — | 1 per building | On sidewalks or in front of permittee's business, must maintain 42-inch sidewalk clearance, and directly in front of property. | — | 18.20.200 (all zones unless otherwise specified) |
| Vehicle Sign | — | Roof sign face: max 6 sq ft; more than 2 roof signs prohibited | — | Not within setback area, not longer than 60 min on street next to business. | Max 2 roof signs per vehicle | Affixed to vehicle; painted or secured on side. | — | 18.20.180 |
| Window Sign | — | — | — | — | — | Interior side of window; may be permitted above first story for interior-only businesses if they comply with all requirements. | — | 18.20.110, 18.20.230 |

### Gateway Commercial District, Gateway Commercial Zoning District, Gateway Mixed Use Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Wall Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18.20.050(1), 18.20.220 |
| Freestanding Sign | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 18.20.050(1), 18.20.220 |
| Portable Freestanding/Unattached Sign (Sandwich Board) | 48 inches | Max 48 in height x 36 in width | 36 inches | — | 1 per building | On sidewalk/in close proximity, directly in front of permittee's property. | — | 18.20.200(b)(1)a |

### Historic Commercial Zoning District, Historic Mixed Use Zoning Districts

| Sign Type | Max Height | Max Area | Max Width | Setback | Signs Allowed | Location | Permit Required | Ordinance Citation |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Portable Freestanding/Unattached Sign (Sandwich Board) | 36 inches | Max 36 in height x 30 in width | 30 inches | — | 1 per building | On sidewalk/in close proximity, directly in front of permittee's property. | — | 18.20.200(b)(1)b |

## Prohibited signs in Georgetown

- No sign shall advertise a business, use or activity which is not located on the same lot or within the same building on which the sign is displayed.
- No sign shall have visible moving, revolving or rotating parts, or visible mechanical movements of any description, or other apparent visible movement achieved by electrical, electronic or mechanical means, or be designed to move upon being subjected to pressure by wind or breeze; nor shall any sign have an optical illusion of movement by means of a design which presents a pattern capable of reversible perspective, giving the illusion of motion or changing of copy (exceptions: traditional barber poles and clocks, but are included in allowable area).
- No sign shall have lights or illumination which flashes, moves, rotates, scintillates, blinks, flickers, varies in intensity or color or uses intermittent electrical pulsations.
- Strings of light bulbs are prohibited on commercial premises for commercial purposes other than for traditional holiday decorations or temporary lighting in connection with community events.
- No flashing or colored lights shall be permitted.
- No sign shall be illuminated by internal illumination or direct illumination except as otherwise permitted in specified districts and with specific restrictions.
- The intensity of light source in illuminated signs shall not exceed what is necessary for legibility from adjacent travel way or closest municipal streets.
- Illumination of signs shall not be directed toward nearby residential properties or interfere with the vision of motorists.
- Beacons or searchlights shall not be permitted for advertising purposes.
- Continuous strings of pennants, flags, fringe or similar decorations (other than traditional holiday decorations used in connection with community events) are not permitted.
- No sign shall incorporate projected images, emit any sound which is intended to attract attention, or involve the use of live animals, fish or fowl.
- All signs shall be permanently affixed or attached to the ground or to a building or structure, except for real estate signs attached to posts driven into the ground, window signs and temporary signs, banners or barriers.
- No sign shall: (1) In any way obstruct the view of, be confused with or purport to be an official traffic sign, signal or device or any other official sign; (2) Use words, phrases, symbols or characters implying danger, need for stopping or maneuvering, or create unsafe distractions for motorists; (3) Obstruct view of motorists entering a public roadway; (4) Obstruct free ingress or egress from a required door, window, fire escape, or exit; (5) Be attached to utility poles or trees.
- Any sign shall be removed within sixty (60) days after the activity, product, business, service or other use which is being advertised has ceased or vacated the premises, except signs officially designated as landmarks or permanent signs accessory to seasonal businesses.
- Roof signs are not permitted.
- Murals or supergraphics are not permitted.
- Signs shall not use glossy plastics (except in Gateway Commercial and Gateway Mixed Use Districts).
- No sign, other than an approved window sign complying with all other requirements, shall be permitted above the first story for a business which has no exterior entrance and can be reached only through the interior of the building.
- No phosphorescent or reflective paint shall be used on any sign face or sign structure.
- Illegal nonconforming signs are prohibited.
- Vehicle signs are prohibited under conditions such as if the vehicle is not operable, signs are roof-mounted beyond specified limits, signs are not securely affixed, the vehicle use is primarily for sign display, or other detailed criteria.
- All metallic sign surfaces must be treated to reduce sunlight reflection on residential properties, motorists, and pedestrians.

## Signs exempt from permit in Georgetown

- Traditional barber poles and clocks are exempt from prohibition on visible movement, but are included in determining allowable sign area.
- Small, low-wattage, miniature, clear, Christmas tree lights used as window outline only are exempt from light string prohibition.
- Traditional holiday decorations or temporary lighting in connection with Christmas Market or other community events are exempt from light string and pennant/flag/decoration prohibition.
- Signs officially designated as landmarks, and permanent signs accessory to businesses open only on a seasonal basis (with clear intent to continue operation), are exempt from the 60-day removal requirement after business closure/vacation.
- Real estate signs attached to posts driven into the ground, window signs and temporary signs, banners or barriers are exempt from the requirement for permanent affixation.
- In the corner lot area height restriction, wall signs are exempt.
- Gateway Commercial and Gateway Mixed Use Districts are exempt from the general prohibition on glossy plastics.

## Sign plan & submission notes

- All signs shall be subject to general limitations as set forth in this Chapter.
- Portable (unattached, e.g., sandwich board) signs must be constructed and placed in a manner consistent with the sign code, site plan and other materials submitted with the application for a permit.
- Applications for portable sign permits require submission of a detailed description and placement of the sign and must comply with all sign code requirements.
- No explicit mention of a general 'master sign plan' or 'variance meeting' requirement in the included sections.

## Full detail

This page publishes an overview of every zoning district plus a sample of 3 districts in full. Complete zone-by-zone requirements for all 4 zoning districts in Georgetown — every sign type, every field — are available with a free PermitPal account: https://app.permitpal.io/?address=Georgetown+CO&override=true&utm_source=landing&utm_medium=city-page&utm_campaign=city-georgetown

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